A Stunning Oak Frame Cottage by the Sea

Join House Tours Extra as Robbie and Gemma visit Kim at her beautifully renovated Seaside Oak Frame Cottage on the Essex coast.

Surprise Additional Property

Kim and her family originally bought the neighbouring eight-bedroom manor house as a major renovation project.

The sale also included an outbuilding that had previously been used as a dwelling, along with a small attached barn.

Without any clear plans for the additional property, Kim initially thought they could give it a quick refurbishment and rent it out as a holiday let.

On closer inspection, it was discovered that the whole building was rotten and would need to be completely rebuilt.

Crumbling Beams

The beach is not far from the house, and the original timber of the cottage would have been made from old boats.

There were two main beams holding up the back of the house, and Kim initially thought these were the only parts that needed replacing.

When the joiner removed the weatherboard, he saw that the entire structure was crumbling.

"It was like a Crunchie bar held together with paint! The house could have collapsed at any point and was really dangerous. We had to have it sorted out immediately."

"The back wall beams were replaced first and then the joiner went around the house, replacing one wall at a time."

New Oak Frame with Timber Pegs

The house is made entirely from wood and pegs, giving it a homely cottage feel.

The open beam studwork and panelled walls create a traditional cottage style, while the bedrooms show how structural design can also create visual impact.

The oak ceiling beams in the master bedroom are essential to the structure, but they also create a strong feature.

The room was created from the adjoining barn section, which had not originally been considered part of the renovation work.

"It was an afterthought, really," Kim explained.

The family currently live in the renovated cottage while the major renovations on the manor house are being completed.

Kim has chosen a classic interior style, with soft colours that sit well alongside the exposed oak woodwork and handmade ledge and brace doors.

Traditional Ironmongery & Cabinet Furniture

Choosing the right door, window and cabinet furniture adds authentic detail and can make a big difference to the finished look.

Traditional ironmongery is a natural choice for an oak frame property.

Kim chose Suffolk Latch Company's hand forged latches and hinges in a black beeswax finish, pairing them with handmade oak ledge and brace doors.

The windows and external door have also been fitted with traditional black hardware.

In the kitchen, cast iron cup pulls and cabinet knobs help complete the cottage-style interior.

Renovation Finds

The renovation of the cottage came as a complete surprise, and Kim explained that she did not have a fixed vision for the house.

No plans were drawn up, and the work evolved as the project progressed.

"It wasn't the best financial decision not to have a plan, but it has given us a really quirky house, full of character."

The work was partly dictated by the original position of the walls, and certain features, such as the chimney breast, had to remain.

Kim loves how the house developed bit by bit. Her favourite part of the cottage, apart from the oak woodwork, is the exposed wall they decided not to fill in.

The most worrying part of the renovation was when the surveyor discovered that the foundations were almost non-existent.

The house had originally been resting on an old pond, which was likely one of the reasons the wood had rotted so badly.

Now, the house is securely placed over a large underground concrete bridge and is completely safe.

One nice find during the project was a large conch shell in the garden. Kim cleaned it up and turned it into a one-of-a-kind lamp.

Renovation Tips

Kim shared her renovation tips for anyone thinking about taking on a similar project:

• Make sure you have a proper survey carried out on the property.
• Understand what you are taking on and seek professional advice.
• Be flexible, as some ideas may not be possible or may cost too much.
• Allow for unexpected issues, especially with older buildings.

More House Tours

We hope you enjoyed our tour of this unique oak frame cottage.

A big thanks to Kim for sharing her gorgeous home and telling us about the renovation. We cannot wait to see how the building work in the main manor house unfolds.

For more House Tours articles and the latest product news, follow us on Instagram @suffolklatchcompany and Facebook @suffolk.latch.

*Please note prices of products quoted are accurate at the time of article publication but may be subject to change.*

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